March 26, 2008 5:41 AM
Sam wrote:
Verse 17 is an interesting concept...grabbing a dog by it's ears. Much like cornering a mountain lion I guess. Or tempting a snake. All of it is dangerous, obviously, even for persons trained to do such things. THe proverb writer says that this action is like a passer-by (a stranger) who meddles in someone else's quarrels. I suppose that would also be dangerous. Not knowing the full story, as a stranger would not about someone else's arguments, could result in action against that stranger, even though the attempt may have been to help. This is a lot like giving advice to friends when you don't know the whole story. Often, you may have someone request advice about a particular situation, but he or she may only present his or her side of the story. You would then be giving advice when knowing only half of the truth. That could be dangerous for all involved. When asked for advice, make sure you consider all parties and provide that advice only if it is beneficial to the situation. Advice given with ignorance can lead to problems with relationships later. It is best to advise only when the whole story is known. So, don't go around grabbing dogs by the ears and don't go around giving advice just because you are asked to do so. Carefully consider ramifications of that advice, and all parties which it could affect. Reply to this
March 26, 2008 9:22 AM
Rich wrote:
This is the fool chapter! The first 11 verses attribute awful characteristics to a fool. Who would want to be described or equated with snow in summer, folly, like a lame man's limp legs, a dog returning to its vomit? But then the verse that is most cutting of all. Verse 12. "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
What does it mean to be wise in my own eyes? Perhaps thinking that I don't have to read God's word everyday, since I obviously already know it all. Maybe thinking that this is the nth time we have read Proverbs - I have already seen everything there is to see there! Or, not praying to God everyday because I think my "time" is better spent at work, or maybe reading the paper or watching TV or sleeping or .... How could anyone who understands and acknowledges God as the creator of all things, as the wisest of the wise, as the sustainer of life, as all powerful and all knowing, not spend time with him everyday --- unless he sees himself as too wise to need God!!!
Thinking of it this way makes the first 11 verses more meaningful and convicting to me. I read these verses the first time saying to myself, "thank goodness I am not a fool." But then I considered the idea that my inconsistent time with God indicates that "I am wise in my own eyes." I am not a fool, I am worse than a fool! What about you? Do your actions show yourself to be wise in your own eyes? If you are like me, then like me, I encourage you to memorize Proverbs 26:12. Reply to this
Verse 17 is an interesting concept...grabbing a dog by it's ears. Much like cornering a mountain lion I guess. Or tempting a snake. All of it is dangerous, obviously, even for persons trained to do such things. THe proverb writer says that this action is like a passer-by (a stranger) who meddles in someone else's quarrels. I suppose that would also be dangerous. Not knowing the full story, as a stranger would not about someone else's arguments, could result in action against that stranger, even though the attempt may have been to help.
This is a lot like giving advice to friends when you don't know the whole story. Often, you may have someone request advice about a particular situation, but he or she may only present his or her side of the story. You would then be giving advice when knowing only half of the truth. That could be dangerous for all involved. When asked for advice, make sure you consider all parties and provide that advice only if it is beneficial to the situation. Advice given with ignorance can lead to problems with relationships later. It is best to advise only when the whole story is known. So, don't go around grabbing dogs by the ears and don't go around giving advice just because you are asked to do so. Carefully consider ramifications of that advice, and all parties which it could affect.
Reply to this
This is the fool chapter! The first 11 verses attribute awful characteristics to a fool. Who would want to be described or equated with snow in summer, folly, like a lame man's limp legs, a dog returning to its vomit? But then the verse that is most cutting of all. Verse 12. "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him."
What does it mean to be wise in my own eyes? Perhaps thinking that I don't have to read God's word everyday, since I obviously already know it all. Maybe thinking that this is the nth time we have read Proverbs - I have already seen everything there is to see there! Or, not praying to God everyday because I think my "time" is better spent at work, or maybe reading the paper or watching TV or sleeping or .... How could anyone who understands and acknowledges God as the creator of all things, as the wisest of the wise, as the sustainer of life, as all powerful and all knowing, not spend time with him everyday --- unless he sees himself as too wise to need God!!!
Thinking of it this way makes the first 11 verses more meaningful and convicting to me. I read these verses the first time saying to myself, "thank goodness I am not a fool." But then I considered the idea that my inconsistent time with God indicates that "I am wise in my own eyes." I am not a fool, I am worse than a fool! What about you? Do your actions show yourself to be wise in your own eyes? If you are like me, then like me, I encourage you to memorize Proverbs 26:12.
Reply to this